Annette Bening’s Red Carpet Looks, From ‘American Beauty’ To ‘Nyad’

Annette Bening is a force to be reckoned with. With a charm and acute sense of self that extends beyond the silver screen and the five Oscar nominations on her resume (most recently, for her triumph as the swimmer Diana Nyad in Nyad), Bening is a staple on the red carpet season after season. While she has more than proven that she knows how to work a form-fitting cocktail dress and a ball gown on the carpet, the actress is also has a keen flare for sporting menswear-inspired suits and blazers no matter the occasion. Bening’s off-duty style is also not one to ignore; she possesses a cool and effortless magnetism that will inspire you to throw a cool, understated leather jacket over any ensemble. There is no doubt that her particular brand of stylish draw stems from truly authentic confidence. Below, look back at Annette Bening’s complete style evolution, from casual denim to custom gowns.

2024: Oscars Nominee Luncheon

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Annette Bening at the 96th Oscars Nominee Luncheon at the Beverly Hilton on February 12, 2024 in Bev...

Bening channeled her inner cool girl in oversized Stella McCartney tailoring at the 2024 Oscars Nominee Luncheon.

2024: Golden Globe Awards

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Annette Bening attends the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 07, 2024...

The actress kept things chic for the 2024 Golden Globes in a custom Dolce & Gabbana suit.

2023: American Ballet Theatre Gala

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Annette Bening attends the 2023 American Ballet Theatre Fall Gala at David H. Koch Theater, Lincoln ...

Bening’s interpretation of the American Ballet Theatre Gala’s dress code? Black tie, of course.

2023: Deadline Event

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Annette Bening at Deadline Contenders Film: Los Angeles held at the Director's Guild of America on N...

Bening switched up her usual suite of all-black suits for a cream-colored stunner to attend a 2023 Deadline event in Los Angeles.

2023: Industry Dance Awards

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Annette Bening and Shirley Maclaine attend the 2023 Industry Dance Awards and Cancer Benefit Show at...

At the 2023 Industry Dance Awards, Bening matched with another Hollywood legend, Shirley MacLaine, in coordinating ballet flats.

2021: Academy Museum Gala

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Annette Bening and Warren Beatty at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Gala on September 25, 2021...

A chic couples moment in matching suits at the 2021 Academy Museum Gala.

2019: The Report Premiere

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Bening brought her Chanel bag, and her leather stompers, to the 2019 premiere of The Report.

2019: Tony Awards

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Annette Bening and Warren Beatty attends the 73rd Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on Ju...

The star hit pause on her go-to suiting at the 2019 Tony Awards, instead opting for a plunging gown and a floral mini bag.

2018: BAFTA Awards

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Annette Bening attends the EE British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) held at Royal Albert Hall on Febru...

At the 2018 BAFTA Awards, Bening slipped into a sheer and fringe gown that she styled with a metallic clutch and hoop earrings.

2017: Golden Globe Awards

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Annette Bening at the 2017 Golden Globe Awards.

A golden red carpet moment for Bening at the 2017 Golden Globe Awards.

2016: Academy Awards

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Actress Annette Bening (L) and actor Warren Beatty arrive at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and ...

There’s nothing a little lace can’t fix. For the 2016 Academy Awards, Bening and her husband Warren Beatty sported coordinating monochrome looks.

2015: SeriousFun Children’s Network Gala

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Bening hopped on the palazzo pants train at a 2015 gala with these extra large culottes.

2014: King Lear Premiere

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Actors John Lithgow and Annette Bening attend the curtain call for The Public Theatre's Opening Nigh...

A casual moment in linen and open-toe sandals for the premiere of King Lear.

2013: AFI Fest

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Bening styled a bold red lip with a simple LBD and longline coat for the 2013 AFI Fest.

2011: Academy Awards

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Actress Annette Bening arrives at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards held at the Kodak Theatre on Februa...

The actress was an absolute vision at the 2011 Academy Awards in this rhinestone-covered Naeem Khan look.

2011: Critics Choice Awards

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Annette Bening arrives at the 16th Annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards in 2011.

Bening glowed in an embellished yellow gown at the 2011 Critics Choice Awards.

2011: Golden Globe Awards

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Annette Bening at the 2011 Golden Globe Awards.

Bening won big at the 2010 Golden Globe Awards while wearing this lace column gown that she paired with sandal heels.

2011: SAG Awards

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Annette Bening at the 17th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in 2011.

A golden moment for Bening as she arrived to the 2011 SAG Awards.

2011: BAFTA Awards

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Annette Bening at the 2011 BAFTA Awards.

Bening stunned in a one-shouldered white gown at the 2011 BAFTAs in London.

2008: The Women Premiere

For the 2008 premiere of The Women, Bening made a statement in a red tea-length stunner and nude heels.

2005: Academy Awards

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Annette Benning and her husband Warren Beatty arrive at the 77th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak ...

Bening looked every bit of a Hollywood veteran in this off-the-shoulder confection while attending the 2005 Academy Awards.

2004: National Board of Review Awards Gala

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Annette Bening during The National Board of Review 2004 Awards Gala at Tavern on the Green in New Yo...

Bening showed off a chic spiked hairstyle at the 2004 National Board of Review Awards Gala while wearing a boatneck black dress and silver jewels.

2002: BAFTA Awards

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401504 39: Actor Warren Beatty and wife Annette Benning arrive at the British Academy Film Awards (B...

Bening forecasted her current suiting obsession at the 2002 BAFTA Awards by way of this matching moment with Warren Beatty.

1999: Academy Awards

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Annette Bening at the 1991 Academy Awards.

A rare sequined moment for the star at the Academy Awards in 1991.

1998: Tony Awards

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Actress Annette Bening attends the 52nd Annual Tony Awards on June 7, 1998 at Radio City Music Hall ...

During the 1998 Tony Awards, Bening slipped into a sequined gown that she lauered with a sheer shawl and a disco ball bag.

1996: Golden Globe Awards

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Annette Bening and Warren Beatty at the 53rd Annual Golden Globe Awards in 1996.

Bening went simple in black, with husband Warren Beatty, at the Golden Globe Awards in 1996.

1995: Academy Awards

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67TH OSCAR AWARD CEREMONY IN LOS ANGELES.

The 1995 Academy Awards called for this form-fitting floral number.

1995: An American President Premiere

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Actress Annette Bening and actor Warren Beatty attend 'An American President' Century City Premiere ...

Bening stepped out to a 1995 premiere in a sequined top and velour pants. Per usual, her husband Warren Beatty looked dapper in a black suit.

1992: Academy Awards

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Actress Annette Bening and actor Warren Beatty attend the 64th Annual Academy Awards on March 30, 19...

Just a few weeks after they tied the knot, Bening and Warren Beatty hit the 1992 Academy Awards in their finest black tie fashion.

1991: Academy Awards

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Actress Annette Bening (in Bugsy by Albert Woksky) and actor Ed Begley Jr. arrive at the 1991 Academ...

For the 1991 Academy Awards, Bening looked from another planet in this sequined look by the costume designer Albert Wolsky.

This article was originally published on March 2, 2017

This post was originally published on W Magazine

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